This was my first use of Padauk, and I was not a huge fan of it to be completely honest. Like Wenge, the grain is very open and difficult to close.
The dust from the Padauk was also an issue. It was very clingy and stuff to everything. The ground under where I cut the wood a week ago.. it still red from the saw dust. The t-shirt I was wearing has a faint stain in it and I'm almost certain it's from the wood. It machined well, and sanded well.. except for the open pores not closing.

The curly maple spacer was also a victim to the red in the Padauk.
Even during sanding the red dust leeched into the blonde maple. I sanded several times, and wiped very carefully with acetone... and as soon as the oil hit it I could see the colors blend. Hindsite's 20/20, and I learned something. I don't like Padauk

I just added a fresh coat of tung oil on the handle 4 days ago and gave it some light sanding with 2,000 grit sandpaper.
it holds amazingly well, and the color is even more appealing after a year or so of use!
What is not to love on Padauk? Amazing!

I love the look of padauk but it's Cheetos wood to me for the dust and color that gets everywhere! I've sealed the grain with wet sanded tung oil varnish (Watco brand), but I think it would look better with a clear grain sealer like Birchwood Casey brand pore filler vs the wet sanded fill.

No, but that couple be partly do to the six (or more) coats of tung oil I applied to it.
George would be the better person to answer maybe, as he's the one who uses it... but I didn't have any issues with it once the tung oil went on.

It is the dirtiest wood I've ever worked with.
It dyed the maple spacers that is next to it red, the bench and my hands were red. Simply, it was a mess.
George likes it, so all worth it.